HMS Geography Bee

Geo Bee Winner

Chris Bock, an 8th grade student, at HMS, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on Tuesday, January 17th, and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship.  The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 24th annual National Geographic Bee.  This year's Bee is sponsored by Google.

The kickoff for this year's Bee was the week of November 14th, with thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating.  The school winners, including Chris Bock, will then take a written test.  Up to 100 of the top scorers on that test in each state will then be eligible to compete in their state Bee on March 30, 2012.

State champions will participate in the national championship rounds in Washington, D.C. from May 22-24, 2012.  The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the Society, and a trip to the Galapagos Islands, courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations.  Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society's mission is to inspire people to care about the planet.

The other HMS finalists, in addition to Chris Bock, included: Ravi Patel (second place winner), Gracie Griffen (third place winner), Cody Cook, Henry Jones, Chris Landry, Paul McNeil, Hayden Dieterle, Ally Tillotson, and Tyler Vellieux.

Mrs. Newick, 7th grade social studies teacher, is the HMS Geo Bee Coordinator.